CVE-2025-58709
Published: 18 December 2025
Summary
CVE-2025-58709 is a high-severity PHP Remote File Inclusion (CWE-98) vulnerability in Axiomthemes Legacy. Its CVSS base score is 8.1 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190); ranked at the 27.9th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 SI-10 (Information Input Validation) and SI-2 (Flaw Remediation).
Threat & Defense at a Glance
Threat & Defense Details
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5)AI
Directly requires validation of untrusted inputs used in PHP include/require statements to block arbitrary local file inclusion attacks.
Mandates identification, reporting, and timely remediation of software flaws like the improper filename control in the Legacy WordPress theme.
Enforces secure configuration settings for PHP environments, such as open_basedir restrictions, to limit paths accessible via file inclusion.
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
LFI vulnerability in public-facing WordPress theme enables unauthenticated remote exploitation (T1190) and local file reads for sensitive data collection (T1005).
NVD Description
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in axiomthemes Legacy legacy allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Legacy: from n/a through <= 1.9.
Deeper analysisAI
CVE-2025-58709 is an Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program vulnerability, classified as PHP Remote File Inclusion but enabling PHP Local File Inclusion, affecting the Legacy WordPress theme developed by axiomthemes. The issue impacts all versions of the theme from n/a through 1.9 inclusive. It carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.1 (AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) and is associated with CWE-98.
The vulnerability can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers over the network, though it requires high attack complexity and no user interaction. Successful exploitation allows attackers to achieve high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, potentially enabling local file inclusion to read sensitive files or execute arbitrary code depending on server configuration.
Mitigation details are available in the Patchstack advisory at https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/legacy/vulnerability/wordpress-legacy-theme-1-9-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve, which documents the vulnerability in the WordPress Legacy theme version 1.9.
Details
- CWE(s)